Originally published September 23, 2005
The Department of State (DOS) has announced that the registration period for the 2007 Diversity Visa Lottery program (DV-2007) will begin at 12 p.m. EST on October 5, 2005, and end at 12 p.m. EST on December 4, 2005. Applicants must register online during this registration period. No applications will be accepted by mail or any alternate form. Registrations will not be accepted before or after this registration period.
An individual may submit only one DV-2007 registration application along with an acceptable digital photograph. Individuals who have submitted DV lottery applications in prior years may submit an application to DV-2007. There is no fee. Applicants must have either a high school education or equivalent OR 2 years of work experience in the past 5 years in an occupation requiring at least 2 years of experience.
Beginning at noon EST on October 5, 2005, applications should be submitted to the following Web address:
http://www.dvlottery.state.gov
The DOS' instructions and FAQs for the DV-2007 program may be viewed at the following address:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/53629.htm
As in prior years, DV-2007 makes available 50,000 immigrant visas annually to countries with lower rates of immigration to the United States. Nationals of countries with higher rates (specifically, those countries from which a total of 50,000 or more of their natives have immigrated to the U.S. in the past 5 years) do not qualify. For a complete listing of the countries that do and do not qualify for DV-2007, see the DOS instructions on the Web site link listed above.
Individuals should pay special attention to the definition of "national" in the instructions. In some instances, individuals will be able to apply even if they were born in one of the countries from which applications are not accepted. For example, a national of Mexico will be able to apply for DV-2007 if s/he is married to an eligible derivative national (e.g., Spain) pursuant to the concept of "cross chargeability."
Should you or someone you know be selected for a DV-2007 number, please feel free to contact our Immigration Group for assistance. Delays in responding could result in the loss of a rare opportunity to immigrate to the United States.
For more information, please contact Denyse Sabagh, head of the Firm's Immigration Law Practice Group.
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